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FAI signs agreement with Freedom Drone Sports

The FAI and Freedom Drone Sports have signed a memorandum of understanding, signalling a new step in the development of drone racing as a sport around the world.

The two organisations have committed to working together to help develop drone racing in a responsible and safe way. That includes licensing pilots, developing rules of racing, certification of drones, track design, social responsibility, gender equality and accredited training of all parties including officials.

President of the FAI, Frits Brink, said: “I am very happy to welcome our new collaboration with Freedom Drone Sports. Drone racing is a fast developing new air sports discipline, and the FAI is very pleased to be working together with new partners in this way. I look forward to seeing the first races and competitions, and watching the sport develop.”

Grantley Reed, Director of Operations of Freedom Drone Sports added: “The team at Freedom Drone Sports is honoured to be working with the FAI, achieving and maintaining confidence in the integrity of Drone Racing is the key to healthy future development. As excited as we are in watching a group of 30 kg giant drones racing around a 3 dimensional track at 200 km/h at Freedom Drone Sports our focus is 'more than just a racing drone'. Introducing aviation safety management systems, specification and certification of drones and equipment type, the development of race rules with standard operating procedures, licensing and accredited training of pilots, teams and officials, formalised track design, social responsibility and gender equality are all key elements we plan to implement prior to holding our first Freedom Class Giant Drone Race. "

The FAI is responsible for sanctioning air sports competition internationally. Freedom Drone Sports is a commercial company based in Australia that focuses on developing drone sports, training, education and safety regulation in Australia and globally.

As part of the signed memorandum, the FAI undertakes all necessary actions to recognise Freedom Class Giant Drone Sports as a dedicated air sports discipline. Both the FAI and Freedom Drone Sports will cooperate on working together to help establish the new discipline.

Freedom Drone Sports will help to develop a structured environment that will allow the new discipline to flourish from the grass roots up, while the FAI will sanction competitions in the new class. Both will focus on ultimately developing an FAI sanctioned World Championship Series.

Both parties will also work together to support each other in general drone development. This will include the presence of Freedom Drone Sports at the 1st FAI International Drone Conference and Expo (1-3 September 2017), and the FAI’s support in regulatory matters at an international level.